[PP-F3] Midnight In The Forrest of Death

[Saix 0]

That last hit had been a critical, so now she would have the majority of the hate. Following the heavy strike to it's head from her <> her target had fled back into the branches, no doubt hiding in wait for the next chance to attack. Landing smoothly Ayane focused on the sounds of the dark forest around her. Bringing her hands up before her she settled into a loose, easy, stance and waited for the telltale rustle of movement. A flash of movement alerts her to danger, and she kicks off the ground and back handsprings to avoid the sudden strike. Safe from damage, she focuses on assuming the proper pre-position, and releases her skill before the Lesser Gargoyle can try to escape. Dashing in close, she thrusts hard with her right hand, her stiffened fingers piercing deep into the creature's chest and out it's back. <>, one of the most powerful of her <> abilities. The huge wound is enough to deplete the last of the creaure's health, and with a sound like shattering glass, it bursts into a million fragments.

Battle Dice: 7 Success!

Damage: 1 (Base) + 1 (Martial Arts Skill) = 2

Ayane: 11/15

Gargoyle 5: 0/8

Gargoyle 6: 0/8

Gargoyle 7: 8/8

[9Lives 0]

9lives calmed his senses from the exhilaration of battle. This was a creature that fought from cover and he would surely loose if he was lost in the trill of battle. His breath slowed and his ears began to pick up the subtle sounds of motion around him. he began to hear to heavy breath of the gargoyle in the brush, and the sound of its legs as they pushed aside the foliage. "{b]There." he said to himself as he folded his arms charging his blade for its most devastating attack. He wasn't going to let the Gargoyle get the first attack this time.

Battle Die: 8

Listen: 8 Success

Attack: Trinket (+1): 9 Success

Damage: Weapon (+3): 4 Damage!

9Lives vanished from sight moving far faster than the game could render appearing instantaneously behind the Gargoyle in the bushes. The strike hit with precision not only knocking half of the creatures health.

[Saix 0]

By the time Ayane had made her way close enough to her ally to be able to see what he was doing in the dark, he had already managed to halve the final Lesser Gargoyle's health. The weapon he was using was truly fantastic to be able to do that kind of damage... Seeing the creature scurry across the ground, making a break for the nearest hiding place, Ayane set her feet and decided that she would keep it from being able to scurry too far. Rushing forward, she laced her fingers together and raised her joined fists above her head. When the Gargoyle charged, attempting to bowl her over, she slammed her joined fists downward into the base of the creature's skull, driving it face first into the ground with the force of <> one of her <> attacks. Leaping backwards, she opened some room between herself and the Gargoyle that was picking itself up off the ground. Plenty of room for the katana user to try and finish it off.

Battle Dice: 5 + 2 (Accessory) = 7 Success!

Damage: 1(base) + 1(MA Skill) = 2

Ayane: 11/15

Gargoyle 5: 0/8

Gargoyle 6: 0/8

Gargoyle 7: 2/8

[9Lives 0]

The massive unarmed strike by the young girl knocked the gargoyle to the ground. It immediately fled into the the brush as its health meter dropped into the red. 9Lives sheathed Aitsuu trying to pick up any sign of the Creature. the brush was still and silent only parting to the wind. Vigilant he watched for the creatures attack as he moved closer to the young girl. together they had a wider range of vision and he would capitalize on that standing behind her ready to charge for his attack.

Battle Die: 1

Listen: 1 Fail

Night Vision: 1Fail

[Saix 0]

Back to back they nervously scanned the dark forest around them, waiting for their enemy to show itself. Branches rustled ominously, but no sign of the beast, or the bright red cursor above it's head, could be seen. Then... rustle Ayane swallowed, realizing the attack was about to come. And crouched low, cocking her fist as she let her Attack Skill charge. She could release it now, but instead she waited... Any moment now... And a flash of movement as their enemy pounced from in front of her. Oh yeah, she had managed to piss it off. Releasing her skill, she darted forward into a strong punch that... missed! Crap! Taking a moment to tense she prepared herself for the inevitable strike as the big clawed paw drew back to attack. The strike hit her hard enough to send her stumbling to the side, and her health slipped into the Yellow Zone.

Ayane: 9/15

Gargoyle 5: 0/8

Gargoyle 6: 0/8

Gargoyle 7: 2/8

[9Lives 0]

9lives turned quickly to see his partner take the claw attack after his attack missed. the gargoyle darted back into the brush and once again he waited for some sign of the target in the woods. night would only last for another hour or so then the mob would disappear. he wanted at least one more before then. He scanned the area using his nighteye and listened for any sound of movement but neither altered him to its presence. 9Lives places his hand on his sword to charge an attack ready to activate once he knew where to strike. ahead of him the brush moved swiftly and he activated

Battle Die: 4

Night vision: 4 Fail

Listen: 4 Fail

Evasion: 4 Fail

Attack: trinket (+1): 5 Fail

He launched forward slashing upward diagonally. the problem with launching an attack without seeing the target was not knowing the distance. this no more frustratingly became apparent when the blade came just inches form the Gargoyles face. He immediately flipped backwards but the Gargoyles claw attack tore though his left foot once again dropping his health.

9Lives: 11/15

Gargoyle 7: 2/8

[Saix 0]

Ayane twisted as she landed, getting her feet beneath her after being knocked into a spin. Gritting her teeth she did her best to find her balance, but she was too late to avoid her ally being clawed in the leg. Angry that she was letting someone who had stood back to back to fight alongside her, she launched herself forward with a loud cry "Kiah!". Drawing her hand back, stiffening her fingers straight out in a 'knife hand' she charged her attack, as she went for the kill. The large beast standing before 9Lives jerked, it's mouth opening and closing in a soundless cry, as her hand and half her arm suddenly burst from it's chest, as <> turned her hand into a spear like weapon. As the beast exploded into a shower of digital fragments with the sound of crashing glass, Ayane stood, her hand outstretched, chest heaving from the simulated exertion. This time, the crazy grin was plastered across her face.

Her witty comment was cut short as the brush nearest them rustled violently, and a large form rushed towards her. Throwing herself into a quick cartwheel and rounding off into a quick double back handspring, she narrowly avoided the huge spiky fist of their new attacker. Just great, they had been so focused on keeping themselves alive they had initiated a mini-boss encounter. There was nothing 'lesser' about this <>, it was huge, a brutish beast that was even more apelike then the <>. With long powerful arms ending in fists sporting jagged bone protrusions, tiny little vestigial wings that looked funny on it's broad back, and squat legs it was a big ugly tank of a beast. This beast certainly didn't look like it could monkey around in the trees, maybe they had caught a bit of luck. If it wouldn't be hiding, they would have a constant target. They would have a chance.

Drawing itself to a full height that towered over the slim gymnast turned kunoichi, the beast pounded it's chest and let loose a loud roar. If they could survive it, kill it, then they could claim it's loot chest, and their would be no more <> spawns for the next half hour, they would have time to escape. Settling herself in a loose fighting stance she risked a glance over in 9Live's direction, that fierce smile still on her face. "Think we got this?" she asked her faceless new friend in the metal mask.

Battle Dice: 10 Crtical!

Damage: 1 (Base) + 1 (critical) + 1 (Martial Arts) = 3 damage

Ayane: 9/15

9Lives: 11/15

Champion Gargoyle: 12/12

---

Gargoyle 5: 0/8

Gargoyle 6: 0/8

Gargoyle 7: 0/8

[9Lives 0]

ooc: the die rolling in this topic is bs. i have only had one successful roll that wasn't buffed by stats in the entire topic.

ic:

9lives looked up at the girl with her arm outstretched to help him up. her grin reminded him of his own. They were two of a kind, broken souls who sought death and laughed when they defeated it. He took her wrist pulling himself up off the ground. Something didn't feel right as he got back to his feet. it should be daylight by now but somehow the forest wasn't changing. he had only heard of this in passing. some say the gargoyles of the midnight forest had an elite level creature that could spawn locking in the night so the players could not escape it. When the massive creature emerged from the trees it was all confirmed. 9Lives sheathed his blade. It was large and unlike the lesser version it would not be using stealth to attack. He wouldn't let its size fool him though. they were mobs of agility and he doubted that would change just because the render size was enhanced. his vision never left the creature, even when he responded to the girl he was partnered with. "Do you have to ask?" he teased feeling the exhilaration rise like pumping adrenaline. 9lives loved the boss battles above all else.

[Saix 0]

Ayane snorted at her new friend's retort, before glancing his way with a grin "No, not really. Just figured I would be polite." She says, before turning her attention on the enemy before them and rushing forward, bent forward to increase her speed and present as small a target as possible. She paused for only a split second right before her opponent, letting her skill charge before beginning a powerful three hit kicking combo <>, in a flash she launched herself into the air as she spun like a cyclone lashing out in three powerful kicks as she spun a full 360 degrees while still moving upwards, each kick driving the Gargoyle higher into the air. With her last kick she pushed herself apart from the Gargoyle, not wanting to get caught in the katana user's way when he unleashed his own attack.

Battle Dice: 10

Critical Success!

1 (base) + 1 (critical) + 1 (MA Skill) = 3

Ayane: 9/15

9Lives: 11/15

Champion Gargoyle: 9/12

[9Lives 0]

the girl activated her sword skill and laughed into battle. 9Lives drew his sword and stepped forward with his left foot. pulling his sword close to the body he assumed Gasimi with the point of his sword aimed at the Gargoyle. He changed his attack as his partner finished her strike. as soon as she cleared the attack he activated .

Battle Die: 8

Accuracy: (Trinket +1) 9 Success!

Damage: 1 +2(Weapon) = 3 Damage!

The attack activated with a single horizontal slash in the air sending out an wave of energy that cleaved through the Gargoyle. as if the battle was so insignificant, 9Lives continued the conversation. "do you make a habit of saying unnecessary things?" he teased while keeping his eyes on the gargoyle for a retaliation.

[Saix 0]

Not wanting to give the beast time to regain it's footing now that they had found their groove, Ayane charged her attack as her friend slashed with his powerful <> skill. As soon as the beast was hit, shakily trying to resume the attack after the quick combo, Ayane was flipping into the air, her leg scything around as she performed an aerial axe kick. <> a powerful downward axe kick delivered in a flying somersault to close the distance that slammed the heel of her foot down atop the Gargoyle's head with jaw rattling force. "Funny, I usually think that conversation period is pointless, so that is debatable."

Battle Dice:

6 (Base) + 3 (Accessory) = Success!

Damage

1 (Base) + 1 (MA Skill) = 2 damage

Ayane: 9/15

9Lives: 11/15

Champion Gargoyle: 4/12

[9Lives 0]

as his partner rushed in performing a flawless axe kick, he followed her moments in sheathing his blade to charge for his next attack. "Do all girls take the time to plain that they don't like talking?" The gargoyle hit the ground with a heavy thud form the kick stunned. As it lifted its head 9lives activated in striking distance of the creatures eyes. there would be nothing left to chance in this attack.

Battle Die: 5

accuracy (Trinket +1): 6 Success!

Damage: 1 +2(Weapon) = 3 Damage!

The attack was instantaneous at this range as he slashed up tearing through the creatures head diagonally. The gargoyle was thrown up to a sitting position before falling to its side with only a sliver of HP remaining.

[Saix 0]

"Funny..." She said, as she charged forward, ducking right underneath a powerful backhand directed at her as she drew her arm back at point blank range. "I thought most girls loved to talk." She quipped, as she prepped <>, before pivoting on her heel and driving her stiffened hand through the creature's chest like a spear for the kill. "Here I thought I was being all cool and aloof, if all girls hate to talk, then how am I supposed to be a nonconformist?" She asks, as the mini-boss explodes into a shower of polygons. As she stands back up, she gives a stretch watching as the dark forest begins to show a tinge of pink, a simulated dawn now that the rare mini-boss that locked the area in perpetual night had been defeated. "Good fight." she finally says.

Battle Dice:

3 (Base) + 3 (Accessory) = Success!

Damage

1 (base) + 1 (MA Skill) = 2

Champion Gargoyle: 0/12

Loot Dice: 17

Crafting Materials: Loot Roll divided by 2 is 8.5 = 9 Crafting Materials

[9Lives 0]

9Lives sheathed Aitsuu at the sight of the sky tone shift. they had defeated the event an while not in perfect condition, it proved to be the challenge he had hoped it to be. 9Lives pulled up his menus switching through options and unequipped the mask. his armors default hood appeared on the armor. he reached back taking the hood and pulled it over his head. a notification popped up displaying his loot. A smile appeared on his face. it wasn't that he cared about the col, he liked the idea of getting rewarded for his violent tendencies instead of hiding them from society.

He turned to face the girl panning though the menus to the guild tab and selected . after sending the investigation he closed the interface. "You can read the mission statement and hear all the nicely worded banner that is more or less true, but the truth of the matter is that the Vanguard are efficient dominate fighters who use teams and tactics to destroy the opposition. we fought well together. if that's what you want form this life we now lead then the Vanguard awaits."

[Saix 0]

Ayane froze for a long moment. Since the game had started she had been alone, she had no real friends and had never even entertained the idea of joining a Guild. However, fighting with someone had been fun. She always had to be careful to ensure she never went to far, or else she could die. And if Nine hadn't shown up tonight, she would not have survived her time in the forest. She stared at the invite for a long time, before hesitantly reaching out. For a moment she thought she was going to decline it, but in a move that sorta surprised her, she ended up accepting.

She didn't have to be alone anymore. That was the first thought that filled her mind. There were all sorts of rare materials and the like on the higher floors that she had not dared pursue, but if she had a guild to back her up, who knew what kind of armor and clothing she might be able to craft if she could get her hands on some high quality material. With that thought warming her, she glanced back at Nine, who she supposed was now her guildmate and friend. "You need to keep the hood, it really fits the shinobi theme. Lets head back to my shop... I might be able to help you with your... image problem." She said, giving him a thorough looking over.

---

Starting City:

7:12 AM

They had made good time, heading out of the forest and back to the nearest settlement on Floor 3. From there it was just a quick teleport to Starting City via the Warp Plaza. For once Ayane didn't even mind the crowded Starting City, even if it was early enough in the morning that most of the crowd had yet to start aimlessly wandering the city again. Her shop was located on the outer ring of the town anyway, she would have hated to have to go through the crowded inner city every day. Once she had led Nine to the shop, she unlocked the door and ushered him into the humble building. "It's not much, but it's home." She said, as the candles in the four corners of the room came on, lighting the area and revealing the many the items she had crafted on display. "I plan on moving the shop to a higher floor, sooner or later. I've been working on improving my crafting in the meantime. I'm kinda the best Tailor in Aincrad right now." She said, sounding more bored than proud. She had only turned to crafting to have something to do.

[9Lives 0]

9Lives entered the shop slowly looking around. he didn't have a shop of his own, partly because he had no need for one and because he had no intention of selling things. still the idea of having an area where no one would bother you was appealing. he followed her into the shop as she spoke. "I See." he said remaining quiet. He looked around at her inventory. "What would it take for you to make some a new set of armor and a hood."

[Saix 0]

Ayane chuckled at that. "You look like black is probably the color for you. I like working with leather for most of my armor, I want the best possible speed and freedom of movement. I did this piece a while ago, but most people want heavy armor, not leather, so it has been sitting here all this time." She said, stepping towards her displayed items, and stopping before a Coat made of soft black leather. "This is Gargoyle Hide, the same kind of material we harvested tonight. This armor is named Abyss and is one of the best pieces of armor I have ever created. It is light and allows for ease of movement, to better avoid being attacked. And since you look better with the hood, I even have this..." She said, reaching behind the counter to a stack of items that had not yet been organized for display. "I made this one yesterday, haven't even got around to putting it up yet. This is Night's Grasp and it has a nice little accuracy boost tied to it." She says, stepping up and placing the hood atop the display's head, to give the full affect of armor and hood.

[9Lives 0]

9Lives looked over the items impressed with the craftsmanship. the armor was seemingly designed with his needs in mind. 9Lives was an evasion specialist who focused primarily on damage output. the nights battle had thought him that one does not survive on damage alone. He needed to be able to hit his target for the damage to apply and he needed to keep himself form being hit in turn. these times did just that. He looked up at the girl whom he had yet to formally be introduced. "What will this cost?" he said plainly.

[Saix 0]

Ayane snorts, it is distinctly unlady like, but appropriate. "I made out with over 10 Gargoyle Hides, that is pretty impressive on it's own. Not only that, but I survived the night, something I would not have been able to do had you not come along. These are both rare items, definitely high quality, but I think I can survive letting the payment slide. After all, I wouldn't be able to do much had I been gutted by a Gargoyle. Just take them, and use them well. I don't have any friends in SAO, so don't die. I would hate to lose my only friend." She says, leaning against the counter and closing her eyes at how stupid she sounds.